USC Subchapter II

in effect

54 U.S.C. § 100721 Definitions

In this subchapter: (1) Damages.—The term “damages” includes—(A) compensation for—(i)(I) the cost of replacing, restoring, or acquiring the equivalent of a System unit resource; and (II) the value of any significant loss of use of a System unit resource pending its restoration or replacement or the acquisition of an equivalent resource; or (ii) the value of the System unit resource if the System unit resource cannot be replaced or restored; and (B) the cost of a damage assessment under section 100723(b) of this title. (2) Response costs.—The term “response costs” means the costs of actions taken by the Secretary to—(A) prevent or minimize destruction or loss of or injury to a System unit resource; (B) abate or minimize the imminent risk of the destruction, loss, or injury; or (C) monitor ongoing effects of incidents causing the destruction, loss, or injury. (3) System unit resource.—(A) In general.—The term “System unit resource” means any living or non-living resource that is located within the boundaries of a System unit. (B) Exclusion.—The term “System unit resource” does not include a resource owned by a non-Federal entity.

54 U.S.C. § 100722 Liability

(a) In General.—Subject to subsection (c), any person that destroys, causes the loss of, or injures any System unit resource is liable to the United States for response costs and damages resulting from the destruction, loss, or injury. (b) Liability In Rem.—Any instrumentality, including a vessel, vehicle, aircraft, or other equipment, that destroys, causes the loss of, or injures any System unit resource shall be liable in rem to the United States for response costs and damages resulting from the destruction, loss, or injury to the same extent as a person is liable under subsection (a). (c) Defenses.—A person is not liable under this section if the person establishes that—(1) the destruction, loss of, or injury to the System unit resource was caused solely by an act of God or an act of war; (2) the person acted with due care, and the destruction, loss of, or injury to the System unit resource was caused solely by an act or omission of a 3d party, other than an employee or agent of the person; or (3) the destruction, loss, or injury to the System unit resource was caused by an activity authorized by Federal or State law. (d) Scope.—Liability under this section is in addition to any other liability that may arise under Federal or State law.

54 U.S.C. § 100723 Actions

(a) Civil Action for Response Costs and Damages.—The Attorney General, on request of the Secretary after a finding by the Secretary of destruction, loss, or injury to a System unit resource or a finding that absent the undertaking of a response action, destruction, loss, or injury to a System unit resource would have occurred, may bring a civil action in United States district court against any person or instrumentality that may be liable under section 100722 of this title for response costs and damages. The Secretary shall submit a request for the civil action to the Attorney General whenever a person may be liable or an instrumentality may be liable in rem for those costs and damages under section 100722 of this title. (b) Response Actions and Assessment of Destruction, Loss, or Injury.—(1) Actions to prevent or minimize destruction, loss, or injury.—The Secretary shall undertake all necessary actions to—(A) prevent or minimize the destruction, loss of, or injury to System unit resources; or (B) minimize the imminent risk of destruction, loss, or injury to System unit resources. (2) Assessment and monitoring.—The Secretary shall assess and monitor destruction, loss, or injury to System unit resources.

54 U.S.C. § 100724 Use of recovered amounts

(a) Limitation on Use.—Response costs and damages recovered by the Secretary under this subchapter or amounts recovered by the Federal Government under any Federal, State, or local law or regulation or otherwise as a result of destruction, loss of, or injury to any System unit resource shall be available to the Secretary and without further Congressional action may be used only as follows:(1) Reimbursement.—To reimburse response costs and damage assessments by the Secretary or other Federal agencies as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Restoration and replacement.—To restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of System unit resources that were the subject of the action and to monitor and study those System unit resources. The funds may not be used to acquire any land or water, interest in land or water, or right to land or water unless the acquisition is specifically approved in advance in appropriations Acts. The acquisition shall be subject to any limitations contained in the legislation establishing the System unit. (b) Excess Amounts.—Any amounts remaining after expenditures pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) shall be deposited in the Treasury.

54 U.S.C. § 100725 Donations

The Secretary may accept donations of money or services for expenditure or employment to meet expected, immediate, or ongoing response costs. The donations may be expended or employed at any time after their acceptance, without further Congressional action.